Christian Distinctiveness
Prayer & Reflection
At St Christopher’s Church of England Primary prayer and reflection are central to our day. Each class has a spiritual area where children have the opportunity to reflect upon the current Collective Worship theme. In conjunction with this the children are developing an outdoor spiritual area which facilitates reflection and spirituality.
In times of collective worship, we are reminded of the prayer that Jesus taught us to say: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. We also light a candle as part of our assembly: we do this because a candle is a symbol of Jesus, the light of the world, and because the candle carries on burning, carrying on our prayer, even when we are not speaking. It is also a visible sign that worship has begun.
A prayer box is also available in the foyer. At the end of our assembly, we blow out the candle to bring that act of worship to a close. We close our assembly with ‘peace be with you’ and the respond ‘and also with you’.
Collective Worship
Collective worship takes place every day in our school. Each half term we focus on one theme which aims to link our values with bible stories and other aspects of the Christian tradition. It is important that children help to organise and take part in Collective Worship alongside our Year Six 'Worship Leaders' who organise their own sessions. At the heart of each Worship is a Christian story or teaching based around biblical scripture, ‘I wonder’ to reflect on, and a prayer from the children. We also say "peace be with you" with the response "and also with you". At the end of the worship we share the message "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord". It is an opportunity for prayer and reflection as well as a take away message to reflect upon in our class spiritual areas.
Typically, each Collective Worship follows the pattern of Gather, Engage, Respond and Send.
Gather: We prepare to meet with God
Engage: We encounter Jesus and the stories of the Bible. We listen for God’s message to us.
Respond: We respond to what we have heard and seen. We are given the opportunity to worship together
Send: We are sent out to love and serve
We are also very fortunate to have a visiting members from Red Lodge Church and Lightwave Community Church, Diane Grano and Alison Earl who hold Collective Worships and work closely with children, their families and staff across the wider-school community. Children always look forward to Diane's and Alison's sessions each half-term.
Our Collective Worship Timetable
MONDAY: Whole school Collective Worship led by the headteacher or the Collective Worship Lead. We follow the pattern of the festivals and seasons of the Christian Year. At the heart of each Worship is a Christian story or teaching based around biblical scripture, ‘I wonder’ to reflect on and a prayer from the children. It is an opportunity for prayer and reflection as well as a take away message to reflect upon in our class spiritual areas.
TUESDAY: Whole school Collective Worship led by the headteacher or the Collective Worship lead. This is following the theme set for the week and includes biblical stories and reflection on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ our Lord.
WEDNESDAY: Whole-school Singing Worship
THURSDAY: Classroom Worship led by class teachers.
FRIDAY: A celebration of what has been achieved in school (such as an announcement of the House Point totals for the week; a chance to celebrate and share the acts those children who have been awarded a PRIDE Value, awarding of certificates for merits each term). The Friday celebration always ends with the School Blessing led by a member of the collective worship team, as a way of sending the children and adults out into the world to live out the values that they live by in school.
If you would like any further information regarding collective worship at St Christopher's, please contact our Collective Worship Lead, Mr Smith at: office@stcprimary.suffolk.sch.uk
Links with the Church
Reverend Diane Grano (Church of England Leader) and Alison Earl (Pioneer Mission Enabler and School Governor)
Revd Diane Grano and Alison Earl are integral members of our wider-school community and have helped to establish vibrant links between the school and St Christopher's Church and Lightwave.
For more information about Lightwave, please click on the following link: www.lightwavemission.org
St Christopher’s church and the Lightwave Mission work with the school providing pastoral support for both staff and pupils and are also involved in joint activities which include; Collective Worship, “Open The Book” assemblies, Lunchtime club (Light and Lyrics), After-School Club (Traiblazers Thursdays 3:30-4:30pm) and one-off events such as Harvest Festival, Experiencing Christmas and Experiencing Easter.
Their Sunday Services, which include Junior Church, are held each week at 11am and 6pm in St Christopher’s Church on Boundary Road. There are opportunities for families to engage in and explore faith, 1st Sunday Breakfast Chat at 10am, 2nd Sunday Messy Church at 11am, 3rd Sunday Bubble Church at 9:30am for families of young children, 3rd Sunday 6pm Youth Church for 11-18year olds.
For more information about St Christopher's Church, please see the websites www.stchristopherschurchredlodge.org and www.lightwavemission.org
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